Officials are probing how a 51-year-old highway bridge came to collapse in the Italian port city of Genoa yesterday, killing at least 26 people and injuring 16 others as it sent dozens of vehicles tumbling into a heap of concrete and twisted steel.

UPDATE: Gold Coast family say 'aggressive' dog doesn't deserve to die

A Gold Coast family's frantic plea to save their dog Hugo from being put down could be derailed after it emerged the dog has been labelled a "neighbourhood pest" and been reported to the council up to 20 times.

Two-year-old Hugo was found wandering without a lead about 4.30pm on August 20 after getting outside its Hope Island backyard and approaching another dog and its owner.

The Shar Pei was then reported to council and taken to the pound where it is expected to be put down.

Hugo’s owner Lynette McIlveen and her family have launched a campaign to save Hugo, even petitioning City of the Gold Coast to save the dog from death.

“Hugo doesn’t deserve to die,” she said.

“You’ve made a decision based on fear – I plead with you to give Hugo back.”

But 9NEWS.com.au has learned the council has received up to 20 complaints about Hugo, including allegations the dog charged at a person.

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One neighbour, who declined to be named, said the dog had "chased, scared and caused havoc" for locals.

"That dog has become the neighbourhood pest over the last year," the neighbour said.

"I personally have been chased, this is an aggressive and unsupervised dog... and the pound have taken the dog time and time again."

Hugo is being held at the pound and the council has given the McIlveen family 14 days to appeal the destruction order.

Hugo ()

"The dog owner has the right of appeal as per the provisions of the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act and any such appeal will be considered having regard to all of the facts of the matter," a City of Gold Coast spokeswoman said.

Hugo’s story has gone viral on social media, with the #saveHugo hashtag quickly emerging. Dozens of Twitter users have tweeted at the City of the Gold Coast, requesting a reprieve for the dog.

The “Save Hugo” Facebook page already has more than 4600 likes, with many Facebook users posting that they’ll be contacting or have already contacted the council.

City of the Gold Coast is still deciding Hugo's fate.

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